The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1887-11-30
Credit Where Credit Is Due.

Credit Where Credit Is Due.
To the Editor and the Convict Readers of The
Mirror:
In speaking of the splendid entertain
ment given at the prison chapel at the close
of the regular exercises a week ago last
Sunday, you gave me far too much credit
for my tritling services in inviting Mr..
Downing and members of his company to
do some missionary work behind the bars.
The facts are. simply. that l suggested the
matter to Senator Durant. manager OF the
opera house. and it met his hearty approval.
We visited Mr.. Downing in his dressing
room. and Mr.. Durant extended hearty
invitation to Mr.. Downing. and through him
to his company, to entertain the prison in
mates in their own way the following day.
A partial promise was given. and at the
appointed hour Mr.. Durant's carriage was
III waiting to convey the volunteers to the
prison. and afterward to return them to the
hotel.
Mr.. Durant has written to Miss Lillian
AlcOtt, whose company mill appear at the
opera house December and 3, inviting her
day in December. Should she accept the
invitation think you may expect another
treat. though it is doubtful if better inter-
~tasnme:1t of the kind is ever given you than
that furnished by Messrs. Downing. Mere
'dlth, Browne and Harris. And certain it is
these gentlemen never appeared before a
CnnrpciofVG HolirhtnH
than that which faced them on Sunday,
November 90.
But l think no one more deserving of
credit for the improved condition of things
in the chapel than officer George P. DOdd,
who, with the consent and hearty cO-Opera-
tiOn OF Warden StordOck and Deputy
Westby. organized your choir. which has
afforded SO much pleasure to yourselves and
those interested in your welfare. At by
no means small outlay OF time without in
the least neglectng his regular duties) he
would marshal his warbers in the chapel
after supper two or three nights a week,
and, with Mrs. W. 5. LOugh at the organ,
spend an hour OF two bringing them to their
present proficiency. He it was. too, who
after business hours solicited ADVERTISE
ments and subscriptions for THE MIRROR,
thus rendering its inception and mainten-
ance possible. though receiving and desiring
nothing for his Jealous and self sacrificing
StrvceS.
Let me urge you. friend Mirck. not to
devote space hereafter to expressing thanks
for anything which may do with view
to making life more pleasant for those who
have violated the laws of God and man and
to render them better fitted to fight the
battles of life when they shall leave the
prison walls behind them. l have been
paid hundredfold by the musical feast
furnished by your prison choir, by the
entertainment which / may have in a
measure assisted in procuring for you, but
more than all else by the expressions of
gratitude and kiudy good will which | see
on the faces of the boys whom | meet
in going to and fro within the prison walls.
l trust you will ere long have an oppor-
tunity to see Mr.. Durant and to thank him
I'm looks if not in words) for the kindly
interest he has taken in your behalf. He
will endeavOr to attend the next entertain
ment given by members of the dramatic
profession. and have his promise to ad-
dress you on Christmas if he shall be in the
city. assure you that with the exception
of your officers you have few warmer
friends in Minnesota or tie wOr!+ than he.
and know of no one who in pro- .ortion to
his ability, does more to assist the unfOrtu-
nate. to strengthen the weak. to lift up the
fallen and speak words of hope and en-
cOuragement to those in despair than he..
His purse has often been opened to assist
the poor the destitute. the business man
in temporary need, and all who need assist
ance, when those whose bank account was
larger, and who had greater regulations for